World Cup
Nick’s Picks | World Cup, Data Centers, Juneteenth and More …
The World Cup finally comes to Kansas City, Jackson County considers data center moratorium, and more …
Nick’s Picks | Messi, Jail, Buses, and More …
World Cup Team(s) Arrive It’s starting to feel real. The first World Cup team has landed in Kansas City. Defending champions Argentina touched down at KCI airport on Sunday and will begin practicing today at Sporting KC’s training facility in Wyandotte County. Much of the attention, of course, is focused on Lionel Messi. The soccer…
World Cup ‘Statement Piece’ Evokes Best Version of Kansas City
Before I moved to Kansas City almost 56 years ago, I had been here only once — for a brief visit to the Kansas City Press Club when I was attending the University of Missouri School of Journalism. But because of that visit and the fact that I grew up in the Midwest (Woodstock, Illinois,…
Nick’s Picks | Map, Plaza, Liquor and More …
Missouri’s New Congressional Map Faces High Stakes Court Test Missouri’s newly redrawn congressional map lands before the state Supreme Court this week in a trio of cases that could decide who controls key seats in Congress next year. On Tuesday, the seven-member court will hear arguments over whether the Republican-backed map can be used in…
Getting A Shot: FIFA Copyright Restrictions Hamper Marketing Efforts for Historic Northeast Food Businesses
Third story in a three-part series When Joyce Watts of Boujee Bakery began to update her website with promotions to lure soccer fans to her location east of downtown, she ran into an unexpected roadblock. FIFA World Cup 2026 is protected intellectual property, and according to the local Community Activation Playbook, it may only be…
Getting A Shot: Language Skills Might Be World Cup Advantage for Independence Avenue Eateries
Second story in a three-part series Inside the colorful Mexican mercados, carnicerias, taquerias, cafes, panaderias and paleterias accenting Independence Avenue, Spanish is the first language for most shop owners and their customers. The Historic Northeast is home to one of the largest and fastest-growing Hispanic populations in Kansas City, and the ability to communicate with…
Getting A Shot: International Restaurateurs Fear Being Overlooked by World Cup Fans
First story in a three-part series Soccer players love suqaar. Pronounced sooh-car, the chicken version of this traditional Somali dish is the No. 1 best seller at Yasmeen Cafe, located at 1447 Independence Ave. Chef/owner Abdul Hatimi sautés chicken thighs rubbed with a rich mixture freshly ground from whole spices, including cumin, coriander, black pepper,…
Nick’s Picks | Building, Politicking, Grounding and More …
Fan Fest Construction Begins With just 35 days until the World Cup kicks off, Kansas City’s tournament transformation shifts into high gear this week. Construction crews and heavy equipment are moving onto the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial as work begins on FIFA’s expansive Fan Fest site. Workers are closing off the…
Hospitality Workers Learning to Play Defense During the World Cup
“What college kid doesn’t want access to free pizza?” Jennifer Kabler asked, as she recounted a horrifying evening from two decades ago. She was taking a co-worker home, and he said that his roommate could hook them up with the grub. Even though she felt a little uneasy about the situation, Kabler took the guys to pick…
Plans Afoot to Meet Religious Needs of Worldwide Soccer Fans
If you were to visit this Condé Nast travel site about the World Cup games coming here to the Heartland in June, you might conclude that athletes and their fans have zero interest in religion. The site, after all, never mentions all the planning that people of faith here are doing now to make sure…